Religion - In my opinion

So yes, again I say it – I am a staunch catholic, but i ain’t stupid either. Some things really do not make sense. What do we know about our existence? Why do we worry so much about keepin up appearances and impressing our peers and having everyone commend us for “doing the right thing” – “being religious”?

What’s most important is to live right as a person. Respect should come first, because every religion places importance on some form of respect..so therefore we cannot go wrong. If we respect the next person, there is no treating them bad, no judging them, no murder, theft, deceit, slander…u know the whole deal. Respect and honour – I personally think a respecting person is better than the liar who go to “church” every single Sunday/Saturday or whatever day it is.

I was having a conversation with a colleague earlier and they mentioned something that interested me “Why are Christians so quick to send someone to hell”

How do you know that this person is going to hell for whatever, for not “going to church” or for believing in Muhammad. I say focus more on your relationship with God, and not be so quick to judge others seeing as it ain’t none of your business, and you have no idea what their relationship with God.

I couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks of me. Long as I know that at the end of the day, my relationship with God is as strong as it can be. Because regardless of what – it boils down to that, right – the reason I pray is not so my peers can commend my acts, but so that my relationship with my maker is stronger, my faith is stronger, and I can live life as a complete human being – respectfully and honourably.

See, what you do every other day reveals the kind of person you are. Your actions, thoughts, dress code, presentation – your body is a temple – treat it and present it accordingly – instead of worrying whether the rest of the world seen that i been in church and have said a prayer once a week.

Personally i respect more Muslims than I do some Christians – and I highly recommend reading on Confucianism for a lot of my fellow Christians. Hell, even the mafia had better code than most of us Christians. I ain't trying to play holy or nothing – i’m a sinner like everyone else. Just saying what i think.

I have been ridiculed and attacked for supposedly “worshipping Mary”, worshipping “The Pope”, “not reading the Bible” – all by people who do not get it. They see things from the outside and have no real understanding of what lies beneath. If i was to google something – what would probably come up first is wikipedia, or some huffington post blog, or some perez hilton view – that don’t mean that is right or that is all there there is to know. what about the link on page 15 of the search…check that one out. Maybe we can learn something or else we’d rather shut up about things we do not understand.

I do not know much about Buddhism, so i do not say much – i say what i know about Islam (which ain't much either), Confucianism, Taoism, Rastafarian movement - as i read and learn. That does not change me from my Catholic beliefs (which i will defend to the death) – it opens my eyes and helps me understand my God and His ways and tools of making us live better lives. I can boldly say a lifestyle based on Taoism is at the moment better than what we most Christians are living – especially excuses we come up with for starting new churches so as to explain and defend our everyday living. It’s sad but true – Christianity is not as it was – it is no longer what it was meant to be. The Bible has been edited so many times, a Harry Potter novel is easier to understand.

I'll quote Talib Kweli on this one :

“Every Sunday dressing up, catching gossip at its worst

Couldn't see the difference in the Baptist and the Catholic Church

Caught up in the rapture of the first chapter and second verse

If we all God’s children then what’s the word of the reverend worth

Taught early that faith is blind like justice when you facing time

If we all made in God’s image then that means his face is mine

Wait or it’s that blasphemy it’s logical it has to be

If I don’t look like my father then the way I live is bastardy

Naturally that’s confusion to a young’n trying to follow Christ

Taught that if you don’t know Jesus then you lead a hollow life

Never question the fact that Jesus was Jewish not a Christian

Or that Christianity was law according to politicians

Who was King James?

And why did he think it was so vital to remove chapters and make his own version of the Bible

They say Hell is underground and Heaven is in the sky

And they say that’s where you go when you die but how they know”

They say the Quran teach killing of the infidels. My understanding and that of a few preachers and leaders I’ve read on is that the message is to fight those that attack you until you have driven them away so they are not in a position to attack you anymore – things that many murderers get away with according to the new world’s constitution – self defence. So the word is misquoted, to justify attacking a group who clearly have a better and more religious lifestyle than ours – who show a better appreciation for their culture and religion than us.

I am not a nice person. I am not a righteous person. But in all I do – in all the nastiness and unrighteousness of my deeds – my goal is to bring an ounce of righteousness to this world.

If by the time I die I have managed to make at least one person understand respect and honour as more important than “mass opinion” –I’m content.

2seconds 30minutes later, keep the smile on :) Life's beautiful.

To believe or not to believe?

I don't get "some" of this new age bullshit (some makes sense, but some is just bullocks). Pardon my french, but really - whats wrong with believing. The rewards of believing is eternal life - and the results of non believing is..nothing - we die and turn into dust. So if people wanna live their lives as believers, let them be and if they are right then they will reap the fruits - if they are not , they'll just turn into dust and that's it. Whereas, trying to change believers so they can "enjoy" the "worldly crap", if it turns that that's right then yea, dust ., coo, but if it's wrong - unending burning in hell. What the flip. Let people be. They wanna believe, let them be, live your life the way you want to. if they try change you - its ok, say no, but being a reasonable human being, one should know there is the possibility of them being wrong right. So before trying to change someone, why not consider the consequences of our beliefs being wrong.

if those who believe turn out to be right, then the reward is endless joy in paradise, if they wrong - nothing- if the non-believers turn out to be right - nothing, but if they wrong - HELL.

They say people scare you into believing. YES YES YES. Ever think that some people do believe in AIDS?

Think about it. Would you rather be wrong..

I'm just saying....

tj

Another Sunday, and another Cup won by Brazil - Confederations Cup 2009

Sunday. Back from work. Just watched a brilliant game of football/soccer. Brazil v USA confederations Cup final. What a game. The USA led 2-nil at half time, and Brazil came back to win 3-2, and had a good second half compared to the first half. I must confess, i started writing this the moment Brazil scored the 3rd goal..almost got a fright and moments of pressing delete

when Onyewu headed just over from a corner. But yes, the game still going on and only a few minutes left - was secretly hoping for extra time because this has been a lovely game...(as i watch Dani Alves crack a shot WAAAAYYY OOVEEERRRRRRRR lol

But yes, that has been another typical Sunday..bottle of wine, good football and Jazz to take over after the match(which has just ended by the way). Disappointed I never got to see Pato play in the tourney but well, justified since Brazil just won it. Well done (yes i know Spain is out..but remember..no team that has won the Confederations Cup has won the World Cup by the way..so come on Torres - am a Liverpool fan for yall who don't know..and yes - A BIG ONE lol).

Had a good day..reflecting on the the beauty of life and appreciating the things I have and the how lucky I am. I must admit lately i been fussing about unnecessary things, stressing about unnecessary things..only to have a wake up call - an eye opener - a realisation that someone somewhere is going through worse - (watching the Brazil team praying on the pitch with the "i love Jesus" and "I belong to Jesus" t-shirts on..beautiful scenes....).

Anyhow, as I was saying before, sometimes we just need to sit and appreciate the things we have - the little things. There is always hope that something wonderful is on the brink of springing up from beneath the surface. Ambition Over Adversity like Tupac said..

"Take one's adversity

Learn from their misfortune

Learn from their pain

Believe in something

Believe in yourself

Turn adversity into ambition

Now blossom into wealth"

Remember - you create your own Universe. Everything comes from you. Scream to the universe - "I AM HERE" and let your presence be know. And it all starts with being grateful and appreciating..hope and belief in times of stress..and remember - someone is going through worse..be grateful for the things you have.

tj